Employees Demand More Upskilling

Based on insights from 37,500 employees and 2,000 C-level executives across 31 countries, the Workforce Trends 2026 Report shows that the era of resignation has flattened. Instead, ambition and the need for tangible security shape the picture of the working world.

A total of 967 people in Switzerland participated in the survey. The study shows that Swiss employees view AI agents as the key driver for the transformation of the working world. Employees in Switzerland are among the most adaptable workers. They report that their AI skills have grown faster than the currently available training offers.

Moreover, upskilling emerges as a central factor for employee retention, and Swiss employees do not hesitate to look for opportunities for their professional development outside their own company. At the same time, respondents say that their expectations regarding salary, inclusion, and well-being are largely met.

"People stay when the foundation is right: security, fair compensation, and development opportunities in view of technological progress. For Swiss employees, culture, inclusion, and responsibility towards society and the environment are not empty phrases but prerequisites for trust and retention," says Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland.

Four Central Imperatives for Companies in Fast Change

The Workforce Trends 2026 Report identifies four areas of action in personnel strategy that are crucial for the success of Swiss companies:

1. Workforce Strategy: AI and generative AI are at the top of the agenda. The majority of employees in Switzerland are ready to adapt to the rise of AI, although they find that their AI skills already exceed the level of available employer training. Organizations struggle to keep up with upskilling. Those who do not balance technology investments with people- centered strategies risk growth losses.

2. Competition for Top Talent: Corporate culture, upskilling, and salary are the decisive factors for retention and attraction in Switzerland. Salary inequalities are an issue for only a few respondents, while flexibility is already low: Satisfaction with flexible working hours and locations is rather low among respondents.

3. Upskilling & Mobility: Internal mobility and personalized training are decisive retention factors in Switzerland. Although many companies already have capable people on board, these employees (83% of respondents) have their own development plan, which also takes place outside the company. Employees are increasingly taking responsibility themselves and want to invest more in their skills.

4. Talent Evolution: 89% of Swiss employees feel mentally supported by their supervisors. The vast majority of employees would choose a company with a clear sustainability commitment. Satisfaction with the social engagement of employers remains low.

About this Report

The Workforce Trends 2026 Report by the Adecco Group is based on the Global Workforce of the Future 2025 study, conducted from July to August 2025 among employees and executives in 31 countries. The results provide actionable recommendations for HR professionals and decision-makers to create agile, inclusive, and competitive organizations.

Contact
Media office of the Adecco Group Switzerland
Tel. +41 79 560 48 32
press.office@adeccogroup.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Adecco Group